Re-Thinking the Christian Worldview

Film

January 13, 2014

I have to admit before I begin, I read the book before I saw the movie.

Last Friday, I took a couple of friends to see the much anticipated Lone Survivor. The movie is an adaptation of Marcus Luttrell's book about four Navy SEALS working to survive in the Mountains of Afghanistan as a Taliban army was hot on their trail.

The first half of the book takes great detail to outline what it means to train for the Navy Seals. One of America's elite special forces operation groups is shroud in intrigue. The way those guys train make most of us feel like the biggest wimps on the planet. Over and over they push their bodies, minds, and spirits to become warriors able to protect America in any circumstance. It's absolutely riveting.

The second half of the book focuses on the battle of "Murphy's Ridge" as Luttrell names it for his best muddy Mike Murphy. I won't spoil it for you, other than the book is titled LONE SURVIVOR and Luttrell is the author. So there's that!!

After the movie was over, my three friends sat in the theater until the end of the credits, just sitting in silence. Of course I don't know what they were thinking, but I was keenly focused on two elements of this amazing tale.

1.) America's Soldiers are INCREDIBLEThe way the SEALS have given their lives to serve the country is the most noble of life choices. Those guys go in places I wouldn't even dream to go, mainly because I'd probably ball up in a fetal position and cry like a baby. They take punishment like nobody else on the planet, and they keep going with a drive found deep within. (Even in the legendary training, the attrition rate of elite soldiers quitting before they finish is near 60%)

2.) War is AwfulI know war has been going on since the beginning of mankind, but I just sat and watched sacrifice after sacrifice on both sides of the rifle. People were willing to die over and over, and for what?

Sure, evil is on the planet, and I believe evil has to be stopped especially when innocent people are unable to protect themselves. But I watched as hundreds of Taliban were willing to give their lives to a cause, and the SEALS the same.

I wonder if when Jesus said, "You've heard it say to love your neighbor...but I say to you to love your enemy" He was trying to get rid of this awful practice of killing. I thought about the futures of those young men dying on the side of a mountain and wondered:

They'll never see their family again.They'll never see their kids grow up.They'll never have the chance to hang with their buddies.They'll never know...well...anything for the future.

ON BOTH SIDES

And all for what?

My hope is, on the American side, we are trying to protect and preserve the innocent people in the villages who don't have the trained forces to take care of themselves. I hope we are truly routing out the terrorists who pose a threat to the world.

And when I think about the Taliban, I wonder, "Is it really worth it?" In the name of a religious or cultural norm, they give their very lives to this evil practice of killing, raping, murdering, and stealing from their own countrymen.

One of Luttrell's biggest points is the way America keeps a watch over the Rules of Engagement. A notion I find almost absurd. How in the world are you supposed to fight IN A WAR with rules? There are no rules. People are dying right and left, and if we are going to send our boys to war, we need to let them do their job. (Although I'd prefer we find another way to solve these complicated issues.)

All in all, I recommend you go see Lone Survivor. Know before you go, there's a TON of "F-Bombs." The violence is CRAZY, as you watch every bullet enter and exit almost everyone who dies of a gunshot wound. But the more interesting part of the movie is the way it makes you think about war, about America, about people in Afghanistan, and ultimately the deep roots of brotherhood on both sides of this fight.

Redemption is a tough value to see in the midst of war. There are very rarely clear black and white sides. If you're like me, you'll be sitting in that theater chair for a while wondering, What did I just witness?

November 25, 2013

Box offices around the country were on fire the new Hunger Games installment. It seems like the whole nation was on the edge of their seats waiting to see what might happen to Katniss and Peeta after their sacrificial win to save one another in the first movie.

My teenage kids were so excited to see it, we actually ordered tickets the day before, got to the theater 30 minutes early, and the place was jam packed.

I watched news reports around the country and saw it likened to the Beetles invading America, as one reporter illustrated.

In any event, most of us know just because there is a large swell of people ready to attend an event doesn't necessarily guarantee the quality of the event. I've stood in lines for movies before, only to walk out disappointed that the marketing was better than the content of the film.

But this one was different...

Now, barring my first critique of the whole idea of the Hunger Games; mainly that whoever can sit around and think of a story where kids have to kill kids to keep th government in power is pretty sick, the movie is actually filled with some incredible story lines. For me, just as soon as I thought I had it figured out, the story line took a different direction. (FYI: I didn't read the book first.)

The acting was fare.The landscape of the film was attractive.The special effects met expectations. But it was the movement in the film leading to the next that gave rise to some interesting conversations.

Themes of sacrifice, power, injustice, and the opportunity for those in power to reach out and serve were CLEAR. I suppose the vehicle of war as a story can move us to a place where those topics relate to our lives even in today's culture.

I was most taken back when the group of Victors, those who've actually won the games in the past, began to collaborate for a larger goal. I know we've seen movements throughout history where the underdog takes on a mission higher than what they knew their calling to be. But somehow, this Hunger Games got me thinking about the rise of servant hood in our culture.

We often refer to these movements as Grass Roots, and I'm interested in those movements that tend to give rise for the greater good.

So often we focus on the need of the individual in our culture. We tend to revert to a "What's in this for me" attitude predominately. However; the conversation of the "we" seems more interesting than the conversation of the "me."

When I search the scriptures for an adequate framework of this conversation, it seems to jump off the page when the "we" is in conflict with the "me."

The faith tradition I come from often tries to point out the meaning of the "me" using phrases like 'personal savior,' 'my relationship with God,' or even helps us justify 'my own experience.' Those phrases aren't very adequate when it comes to describing a world where God gave rise to the creation of all of us.

It seems like we would do better to talk in a nomenclature of how God works through the 'we' rather than focusing so intently on the 'me-centric' life we're taught. After all, Loving your Neighbor is about 'the we.' Love your enemy is about 'the we.' Even when you dissect the Ten Commandments and Jesus' Sermon on the Mount, the guidelines have more to do with how 'we' interact with the greater world at large than it does about my own personal actions in the world.

So when the Hunger Games pushed the button of sacrifice and servant hood, I couldn't help but think about how sometimes even in the faith community, we tend to get short sighted and put our individual interests above those of the greater good.

Paul even wrote in Romans 12, "Don't think of yourself more highly than you ought." And it's important to catch the responsibilities we've been given individually, and see them through a paradigm where God has orchestrated those individual things not for the sake of 'me' but rather to put on display how incredibly beautiful the WHOLE world is when He directs us to interact together.

Just some thoughts, and I admit they may be a bit grey, but I'm still formulating how I can think about this ever present conflict of 'me' vs. 'we.'

November 14, 2013

Not since Denzel Washington won his first Oscar for GLORY have I seen a depiction of Slavery with such guts. 12 Years a Slave is a historical account of a Northern Free Black Man who gets wrapped up in the world of illegal slave trade and human trafficking.

I decided to go see this movie late at night on one of my recent traveling adventures. It happened to be the middle of the week, and when I walked in the huge theater, I found myself all alone. Two Hundred seats OPEN and I thought, "Private Screening!! Woo Hoo!!" The preview trailers began to roll, when I saw an African American couple sneak in and sit at the top of the theater. "Well, three out of 200 seats still feels like a private screening." I thought.

I had no idea what was to come.

I knew Brad Pitt had some producing credits and Steve McQueen was the director, so I was sure it would be quality, but I was ill-prepared for the tragedy that would unfold before my eyes. Let me be crystal clear, THIS IS NOT A FAMILY FRIENDLY FILM.

The movie makers seemed to take great risks to expose the reality of human slavery from the point of view of a former free Northern Education man.

The story of Solomon Northrop, a free man from Upstate New York, takes the viewer on a wild ride of injustice, hatred, and prejudice in a time when Americans treated each other like animals. The "Negro" was merely a piece of property for plantation owners in the South, and even though in schools we learn of the dangers of racism, it often goes over in a sterile institutional environment free from the realities of the day.

Constant beatings, rapings, and the most inhumane treatment imaginable brings the movie goer right to the heart of what it meant to live like Mr. Northrop. The diversity of slave owners depicted as those who were gracious to the down right mean, are on the screen in all their glory. At the end of the film, I felt anger bubbling in my soul, hatred oozing from my veins, and then a sense of embarrassment that there was a time in history where our civilization acted so immoral.

And we think it's over.Sure, today it's illegal to own someone else. But don't be deceived. The idea that some people are more worthy to be human in our society is still ALIVE AND WELL.

After adopting two children from the war torn country of Rwanda, my own family has seen the discrepancies afforded to people with brown skin. Education is different, Social Outings are different, and even faith communities wonder why we would do such a thing.

It's amazing in 2013 there are still people who live in the world full of such ignorance. They don't beat people just for being a different color, but our policies afforded to certain people in this country are akin to that same vein of arrogance and ignorance which fueled the time of slavery.

If you're interested in being challenged in the way you think in your community....If you're tired of going to the theater watching the latest special effects....If you want to think, feel convicted, and then have meaningful conversations about the salve days of old....

12 Years a Slave is a moving film. The acting is outstanding. The story line is compelling. And the way faith is woven in the movie was more than interesting for this faith journeyman. The way man can justify some of the evils of history are just astounding.

November 04, 2013

When the earth is attacked by an alien race light years away, the powers that be introduce a new program to recruit and train young gifted minds to re-design the defense program. With a hint of the Hunger Games, Ender's takes the weight and pressure of teen responsibility to a whole new level.

Ender is a young man recruiting to the training cadet program. The film begins with Ender in a low level school, and we find him maturing through more advanced levels. The leaders of the command school follow Ender with great interest as he seems to exhibit tactical abilities bordering on genius. The film does well to include his natural giftedness, his fear of leadership, and the skill set needed to be a commander of the earth's forces.

One interesting theme continues to pop up as Ender keeps dwelling on the fact that knowing one's enemy well enough leads one to love them. I found that quite compelling in our current global outlook on foreign policy which seems to value a quick painless assault void of really learning about opposition. I've certainly found that knowing about people, understanding how they function, and realizing the needs of a particular side paints a more realistic approach to handling conflict.

Ender eventually winds up being the Master Commander of the entire Earth Fleet, and without ruining the film, has an incredible final challenge to defeat the alien enemy.

In the final moments of the film, Ender must wrestle with winning versus the methodology behind winning, and on the drive home my conversation with my oldest son was beyond compelling.

Understanding there's a difference between having the resources to defeat an enemy and seeing a clear line of sight to a place of respecting an enemy are real time concerns in our environment.

My son is interested in attending the Air Force Academy, so this was right up his ally. It reminded me of those epic heroes we read about from the Civil War or World War II. You know the warriors who didn't want to fight, but felt a deep seeded obligation to see justice in light of evils going on in the world. The respect they had for their enemy was rivaled only by the need to see justice come to bare.

All in all, Ender's Game is a wonderful roller coaster ride filled with dazzling special effects and lots of action. And if you take time to see the philosophy in the story, you'll walk out of the theater with plenty to talk about.

October 11, 2013

Hays and I had a rare opportunity to get a sneak preview of Captain Phillips last week in D.C. We hustled over to a HUGE theater right next to Capital Hill, and sat in anticipation of one of the most hotly critiqued film of the season.

We knew the story because of our deep admiration for Brian Regan and his comedy routine about the incident. "Hey, you wanna play ping pong?" "No, but that reminds me..."

We were reciting Brian Regan deep into the previews.

As we sat for the next two hours and felt swept away in the moment, we had a few thoughts:

1. Maritime Captains are Living Dangerous

What used to be an easy job to sit in the crow's nest of a huge oil tanker and wait for the ship to come in is now a dangerous endeavor. Who knew the act of piracy off the coast of the horn of Africa would send shutters throughout the shipping community? I was taken back by the lack of thought given to overall security of goods. After all, that's someone's stuff stacked up on that boat.

2. Captain Phillips Wasn't a Hero

The media wanted to make this story about self sacrifice around 2009 when it all went down. But the movie doesn't portray him as a Hero. With lack luster acting for the first half of the film, Tom Hanks just kind of rolled into what everyman would do. He wasn't really a man focused. He certainly wasn't a model employer. It just seemed like a normal guy was up doing a job.

And the more I've researched the story, I've found that to be true. Captain Phillips isn't some abnormal extraordinary hero, he's just a guy who was caught in a precarious situation. Many people have even criticized the Captain for being negligent taking the boat in known pirate waters.

3. How bad is Somalia really?

Hays and I both looked at each other at the end and asked, "How bad does your home have to be to get in a run down flat boat and try to take over a major ocean liner?" The pirates kept on and kept on even in the face of three HUGE naval vessels.

Comments like, "I can't go back Irish. We've come too far" helped the audience see just how desperate the Somali part of the world really is. Both Hays and I found ourselves wanting to solve the Somali problem rather than focus on the movie itself.

All in all, it's a good ride. Not a GREAT movie by any means. Tom Hanks decided to wake up in the final 30 minutes and provided a performance that brushes the edges of genius. The Navy tactical team was impressive. To coordinate such an operation is why American continues to be the mightiest military force on the planet.

I would recommend Captain Phillips for a little history, a little entertainment, but most of all to walk away and think about what the Somali people must be thinking. I feel drawn to those kinds of situations to look at the bigger picture of conflict, instead of the actual minute events.

October 07, 2013

This weekend a new movie hit the theaters. Gravity is the newest look into the deep heart of humanity. Using the fear of space, Gravity gives the spectator a wild ride into the places where we have to decide those things most important to us.

Set in the deep dark blackness just above the earth, George Clooney and Sandra Bullock encounter the scariest chain of events imaginable. An unexpected soviet satellite explodes leaving them stranded, hopeless, and fearful for a safe return home.

Bullock gives the performance of her lifetime. Critics will compare her to Tom Hanks in Castaway, and I believe she will be recognized for one of the best acting of the year. in the middle of gripping the arm chair of my seat, I wondered where this wild ride was going to take us. Like riding a roller coaster, it seemed every moment could have been the last. But in the end, the story of preserverence prevails.

After walking out of the theater, I kept thinking how important it is to continue on with the goals you set for your life. No matter what the circumstance, there's a calling we all have on our lives. Even when every moment seems like it's your last, to keep pushing toward the finish line is important.

One special moment in the film, Bullock even takes a retrospective view of her life in the context of prayer and spirituality. I'm impressed the movie makers chose to explore the very spiritual nature of the human condition.

I highly reccomend seeing Gravity and havnig a moment to reflect on your own role in this BIG race called human.

August 22, 2013

I just finished watching Emperor starring Matthew Fox and Tommy Lee Jones. It's probably not at the top of the list of your teenager's movie reviews, but I decided to take a chance and see if I could get into the World War II reconstruction period in Japan.

Without question, as an actor, I must submit a shining accolade to Matthew Fox and Tommy Lee Jones. WOW!! Since the first episode of LOST graced my computer, I've always thought Fox as probably the most under rated actor in Hollywood. In Emperor, he takes the craft of acting to a whole new level. The writing is sometimes obviously out of place, but with the script they have, Fox was amazing.

Jones does an equally "Tommy Jones" job of giving the audience a sneak peak into the behind the scenes politics of post World War II Japan.

But the most surprising element was the story of obedience, dedication, and extreme loyalty of the Japanese people. In the spirit of holding the Japanese Emperor up as divine, the movie gave an inspiring picture of doing what is right in the face of predetermined guilt.

When Emperor Hirohito looks Jones in the eye and takes the blame for the Japanese bombing of Pearl Harbor and following war instead of the nation, I was reminded how so many great leaders become great.

Leadership isn't about taking the perks of the job and translating them into a lifestyle, but rather; leadership is serving even to the point of ultimate sacrifice.

I was inspired to see Hollywood portray such a great story without all the ills we normally have come to expect. What a great movie!!

If you're interested in seeing leadership on multiple levels, I would recommend Emperor. The speed is slow, the dialogue is sometimes out of place, the acting is well crafted; but the story is incredible.

April 02, 2013

I must admit, when I heard Mark Burnett was behind the creation of the 5 week mini-series to tell the story of the Bible, I was pretty skeptical. I watched as all the Celebrity Christians started to tweet to watch The Bible when it appeared on the History Channel, and my pessimistic nature came to full froth.

Surely this was some grand marketing scheme to sell T.V. After all, Mr. Burnett is one of the most successful television creators of all time. And now, I thought, "we were going to be subject to another "cheesy" version of the Bible." I knew Christians would rally behind it, just because it was called The Bible. (Let's be honest, we haven't been known as a tribe of creative geniuses in the last decade.) I was afraid Mr. Burnett was giving ammo to my Atheist friends who once again would call into question the viability of a 2000 year old book critical it would in any way relate to our world today.

I even watched the first episode, and on a whim tweeted some snarky comment about how all the people looked like White people speaking perfect Queen's English. (I really am sorry about that Mark.)

And here's where it gets interesting...

Last Sunday night, the Braner Party of 7 was sitting around the living room looking for something to wind down Easter Sunday. I reached for the remote, and The Voice was on. Usually, the family is interested in hearing new music, and voting on who is the best audition, but ALL my kids said, 'Dad isn't the Bible finale on tonight? Turn it to The Bible." I was SHOCKED!

My kids are 14, 11, 9, 8, and 5, and all of them were really excited to watch the last chapter of the mini-series. I sat in amazement as they started asking questions about chronology of the Bible, purpose of the Resurrection, and finally the message Paul was tasked to take to the Gentiles.

Well, I stand corrected. I owe Mr. Burnett, and Ms. Downey a huge apology. The production was incredible. Instead of being someone ashamed to explain the Bible to my Atheist friends, I found myself excited to show certain chapters of the Bible through the eyes of this new way of thinking.

The section where Peter was all alone and called to the Centurion spoke deeply to my soul. He was called to explain the faith to Kings in the face of uncertainty, and I must be honest; I've been in that place more than once in the last year.

In any event, I just wanted to take a little time to say thanks. Thanks to @markburnetttv and all those who were involved in the creation of the Bible Experience. I, @braner, apologize for my pessimistic first outlook. I look forward to exploring the chapters I missed, and am proud of seeing someone willing to push the conversation to the public square. With a world continuing to retreat from spiritual formation, we need creative forces like this to bring the discourse to the water cooler, the public square, and the normal times of conversations among friends. The Bible Experience has afforded that chance to talk about God and not be weird.

Today the Bible comes out on Blue Ray and DVD. If you have a chance, pick it up and see how interesting the producers flew through several thousand years of story line. As usual, the book is better than the movie, but this time; it's awfully close.

March 13, 2013

I can't shake it!
Remember the last movie you saw, and there was just something lingering around you like a cloud you just couldn't shake? Or maybe it was the sense that something was still to be discovered, but you just didn't know what?
Well, The Life of PI is sticking around with me.
As I was thinking about the film yesterday, I was trying to describe it to my friends Luke and Bob. Bob hasn't seen the movie. Luke saw it a few months ago. We were talking about how interesting it was that PI was involved in all these different ways to worship God when Luke said, "Well, isn't that what the world needs? Not that we worship the same God, but we have to communicate, right?"
And then it hit me.
There is a scene in the movie where PI was in the life raft with the Bengal Tiger, Richard Parker. PI was tired of always being on guard, and Richard Parker was just getting hungrier.
Out of no where PI says, "If we are going live together, we are going to have to learn how to communicate." And he goes on to try and develop methods the tiger can understand.
It was AMAZING!!
Almost like the time the light bulb goes off when you discover something you've never seen before.
PI went from living in a Big Community in India to a small cargo ship traveling across the Pacific to a small life raft hoping to survive.
We went from a world without instant communication, to a world of the telephone and television, to a world of the internet. We started living in our own broad world where space wasn't an issue, to now everyone is in everyone else's space.
If PI wanted to get away from the Tiger at the beginning of the movie, he could erect walls, cages, or even just walk away and observe the Tiger from afar. But when they were stuck on the life raft, they had to learn how to talk to one another.
Today, we don't have the luxury of just walking by one another without living in a close space. Thomas Friedman was right, "The World is FLAT!" And if we are going to survive with one another, we're going to have to learn how to communicate.
Just like PI and Richard Parker, we don't have to become the same. PI never transformed into a Bengal Tiger, and Richard Parker was far from human. But in the end, they developed a method of talking which kept the other from violence.
I believe we're attempting this idea at KIVU. We started learning how to talk ecumenically, certain church traditions beginning to talk to other church traditions around the fundamental core principal that we all wanted to live more like Jesus.
And now we've had Atheists, Agnostics, Buddhists, and Muslims all come to the camp with an understanding we'll be talking about Jesus. Some come to learn. Others come to Understand. But one thing is certain, all of them get a chance to discover Jesus in their own time, on their own terms, and in the space we've provided in the mountains of Colorado.
The beauty of what we're doing is exactly what PI and Richard Parker had to do. We have to create a space where we can communicate. It doesn't mean we all have to think the same way, but it does mean we can learn how to respect each other, and develop a deeper understanding of our faith along the way.
I'm telling you, Life of PI is like a cloud in my space this week. I can't stop thinking about it.

March 11, 2013

From time to time, I like to take Mondays and review the lates movies on the BIg Screen. This weekend was unusually exciting, as my brood of 5 were amped to go and see the new Wizard of OZ prequel, and I gotta be honest, I was pretty jazzed to see how Disney was going to make this one work.

From the beginning, you see James Franco as a lousy circus magician, trying to con everyone from the local pretty girl to the sick and afflicted believing in his specific brand of magic.

Then in a very similar tornadic event, He is whisked to the wonderful world of Oz, yellow bricks and all.

I must say, the special effects were appealing. The movie was intriguing to watch, but the storyline left me a little bored.

My kids laughed at the token comedic animal character more than once, and my smallest (5 years old) got scared when the flying monkeys, green faced witches, and explosive battles occur in the emerald city.

As far as the story goes, I felt like there was a redeeming quality trying to break through, but never really arrived at the destination. There was a looser con man who comes to save the city, but really he just became a better con man. There was a witch who was consumed with hate, and she actually continued the feeling of hate throughout the film. Goodness prevailed, laughter overshadowed crying, and in th end I suppose the good guys win.

All in all, I think Oz had the potential to be one of the greats, so my expectations might have gotten the better of me. I think there's certainly a place for anyone interested in seeing where the Oz franchise is heading to participate in the beginning, but if you're looking for anything more than a fun ride through the wonderful world of Oz, wait for NetFlix to stream it.

The content is PG, the Story is a B-, the Cinematography is an A, but the overall feel when I left was "Yea, that was Ok."

In any event, there's the Movie Monday critique for you. I hope you have a wonderful day on your own Journey.

February 25, 2013

The 80's ushered in a new character of action films with Bruce Willis and the Die Hard movies. For action junkies, the explosions, the twisted plot lines, and the humor all combine to give movie goers a fun filled ride with John McClain and his antics.

The Newest Die Hard franchise is called "Die Hard with a Vengeance," and continues the spirit of the Die Hard films. From the beginning of the film the action packed journey begins as John McClain's Son is working in Russia to prevent large arms dealers from getting their hands on nuclear secrets.

For the casual movie watcher, the language is really pretty rough. The "F" word is used with intensity, so if you have a queasy stomach for foul language, you might want to steer clear of this one.

As far as questionable sexuality, Die Hard hasn't really fallen for the physical exploitation often seen in Hollywood films today. I'm thankful i don't have to guard myself from the "sex sells" culture in this film.

The story flows well, and the special effects are incredibly realistic. Again, if you get queasy by good guys shooting at bad guys, this isn't the film for you.

But what I really enjoyed was the way the story tellers weaved in a relationship between a father and son. John McClain goes to see his estranged son, and the tension between "You were never there for me" and "I love you son" is a welcomed question all fathers have to ask.

At one point John tells one of the suspects, "I worked all the time, and thought that was a good thing." But the more the story line reveals the relationship between father and son, the more I realized work is work, but family is important.

I'm excited to watch more and more media outlets working their own particular genre to welcome back the family. I know there are plenty who portray the family as something very different than I do, but I find it an interesting shift. From Duck Dynasty's silly antics followed by a dinner with all the family at the kitchen table, to the Twilight Vampires who protect family at all cost; there's a redeeming family story line we can watch evolve.

Wouldn't it be a crazy turn of events if more and more films were focused in their particular area of expertise to welcome the family back to the center place of society.

It's a Good Day To Die is certainly filled with language, violence, and intense scenes expected in a spy thriller novel. But don't miss the good for the great. There is a redeeming quality toward the end of the film which helps to soften the intensity.

Overall, I walked out of the theater with a new appreciation for my wonderful family who cares about me, supports me, and longs to be together.

January 28, 2013

About a year ago a friend invited me to screen Abel's Field in Albuquerque New Mexico at the film studios there. A few months later I found myself sitting at Universal Studios with a crowded room of people watching this latest parable set to film.

What a great film!!

Set in a small town in Texas, Abel's Field is the story of a HIgh School student just trying to make it through the hardships of life. As he tries to figure out how to put the pieces together, a coach, a teacher, a pastor, and a ground's keeper show the audience the importance of having people who believe in you.

When we get tired, and our temper gets short watching people fail at life, Abel's Field helps to encourage where we need strength.

As I've watched the journey of this film from post production to distribution, I'm excited it's finally on DVD, and can be enjoyed by so many.

If you're looking for an off the beaten path story, check out Abel's Field.

January 21, 2013

This last weekend I took Jamie to see one of our favorite stories of all time, Les, Miserables.

I know it's been out for nearly a month, but I thought it worth a blog review because of the award accolades being reported on every entertainment show.

For those who've not seen the show on stage, Les Miserables is an adaptation of Victor Hugo's original novel. The story is one of redemption, forgiveness, and deep humanity set in the backdrop of the French Revolution.

The film is nearly 3 hours long, and I don't want to spoil the story; but I will comment on the intensity of seeing a musical put to film. The idea the actors would take their own song without voice over, and several uncut sections give the film a life I've not seen in a long time.

The actors were incredible. Hugh Jackman, Russell Crowe, and Anne Hathaway performed brilliantly and give the audience a true sense of an actor's craft.

But overall, I was reminded of this story's intense spiritual center. The story of thieves, prostitutes, revolutionaries, and their relationship with the law continued 'the beating of my heart to the beating of the drum' of God's gracious forgiveness.

I think we forget all too quickly that the ills of humanity are those things WE ALL struggle to face. The temptation to bend rules foe the cost of our justified good, the sins of our past echoing in the daily rut of our schedule, and the reckoning of what's right and true are all things we have to come to terms with. Les Miserables gives an entertaining emotional moving journey you can relate to at every turn.

I sat in the theater in sections weeping as I continued to hear "To love another person is to see the face of God."

May we learn to love each other as God loved us. "For this is my commandment: That you love one another as I have first loved you." - JESUS-

January 14, 2013

I've decided to dedicate Monday's to reviewing the latest movies on the big screen. After all, if I'm asked to speak on anything when I travel, more times than not, I'm asked to help students and parents understand what's going on with Culture.

So here's to my New Year's Endeavor, it's MOVIE MONDAY (hear the movie monday jingle in the background, and crowds of electronic praise clapping for an AMAZING article. HA!)

This weekend I took my son to go see Zero Dark Thirty. He's interested in joining the military, so I'm always trying to find films and events that will help him understand the life of a military man.

It's rating was a little off for my teenage boy, but I thought it might be a good chance to talk through what's going on surrounding this movie that's about to claim a lot of awards during the award season, and has garnered a bit of controversy from politicians in Washington.

Just so you know, that's how we roll here in our family. We don't let our kids watch Rated R movies without knowing what's going on inside the film. And when we watch any kind of film beyond an animated feature, we always like to talk through the message of the film and how we need to be thinking about the direction the film makers want us to think.

On Movie Monday's I'll try to help you see how we do it. I hope it's a help for you, but please don't send me e-mails about how I should run what my kids see or don't see. I just don't have a whole lot of time to debate the method, but I do want to share some ways Media is Influencing our culture and how we can talk about it. On to the Movie

First, I was suspicious as I read through the reviews revealed by congress. I didn't quite understand why they felt threatened someone would make a movie about chasing down the most wanted man of all time, but I quickly saw why. The first hour or so of the movie highlights the detainee program America used to illicit information from wanted criminals. There's no shortage of torture and uncomfortable scenes, so if you have a queezy stomach, you might want to pass up on this one.

The methods and techniques used to find out who the bad guys are and who the good guys was interesting, and spurred on a lively debate at the end of the film. Overall, I felt the writers captured an honest discussion about how the tension of America was felt deep over the time post 9-11, and highlighted the heroic efforts of our Clandestine agencies to figure out how to route out evil.

The highlights of the military men and women were incredibly honorable. I watched my son as he took in the life of a Navy Seal when Team-6 was introduced. HIs eyes were about the bug out of his head with excitement, and I could tell he found the military a profound interest.

We all know how the movie ends, with Bin Laden dead and the house destroyed, but I was impressed how Kathryn Bigelow ended it. There was no political grandstanding, it seemed as though she was trying to tell the story all of us were interested in knowing. She didn't use violence to move the story, even though there were so many violent events. It felt more like a documentary than a Hollywood Blockbuster.

The acting was superb. The story was seen through the CIA agent played by Jessica Chastain, and she performed brilliantly. After spending some time in the Middle East, and hearing the stories of the hunt during the time period, I found it extremely interesting to watch the movie through the eyes of the CIA agent. Again, the story lent itself to a quick move from one scene to the next. I never felt like I was tired or bored, just interested to see how this all went down.

At the end, we had a long discussion. The boys I was with were interested in the special ops helicopters, training, and the guns used to take people down. And then we moved on to, Why would a Muslim in the Middle East back the whole Bin Laden operation?

We talked a long time about the implications of actions. We talked about the value of life in the face of ideology.We talked about torturing to find out enemy plans to save more lives.We talked about people who dedicate their lives to their work without much else to make them human. We talked about evil and whether it is necessary to assassinate someone to settle the score for innocent death i.e 9-11.

Overall, I felt like th boys were educated. They had a chance to see a story relevant to real life global events, and we sat down to talk about it. They had a chance to work through ethical decisions where the clear, easy answer wasn't available.

If you're concerned with language, there's a lot of foul language.If you're concerned with violence, there are scenes that made my stomach turn.If you're worried about sexual innuendos, I believe there were a few, but nobody got naked. (thanks Hollywood.)

Overall the action is high, the tension is thick, and the story runs fast. Thanks Ms. Bigelow for being the first to try and tell this story in a movie fashion. We'll see what those who follow you take from the film.

In the end, it wasn't as 'patriotic' as you might expect. No where near the Navy Seal movie released a couple of years ago. But it does dry into question why we do what we do, how we do what we do, and the necessity to have a conversation in an area of the world very few understand.

I left the theater proud to be an American, but knowing we live in a dark world in need of salvation.

November 20, 2012

I was having dinner the other night with a GREAT friend, and we were talking America, Economy, Politics, and out of the blue he said, "Here's your next blog..."

After our conversation, I went home and Googled the facts.

The two new "Hot" movies out this weekend were Lincoln and Twilight: Breaking Dawn Part 2.

I've always said if you want to know what America is thinking, you have to drill down to see what we're watching. What kind of music are we listening to? What kind of art are we looking at? What are the top grossing television shows? And in this case, what movies are grossing the most money.

Now, before you think this is a blog about what we should or shouldn't watch in the movie theaters, please know...

I love movies.I love story.I love art.I love actingI think the way we tell story today is fascinating.

But...

Lincoln is the story of a monumental time in American history. It was THE greatest election of all time, and forged forward the 13th amendment which gave African Americans freedom from the slave owners of the day.

Lincoln set the stage for federal rights to impose a government that told the states how they should act, in spite of opposition from the succeeding segments of the day.

Lincoln tells of leadership, compromise, and hard choices in the face of tremendous adversary. It highlights a man who worked through an intense marriage, an impossible job, and the love of all people no matter their skin color, political party, or feeling of entitlement.

Lincoln could go down as one of the best movies of all time as it helps to bring to life a real historical account of why we are who we are today in America.

Lincoln grossed $21M on opening weekend.

The new Twilight movie was also released this weekend.

Twilight is the fourth installment of a story about Vampires, Humans, and Werewolves.

It tells the story of a human who is alone.She meets a Vampire who loves her unconditionally.She encounters an epic battle embedded in the community she lives in.

Twilight is a beautiful story of love, intrigue, and is laced with all the elements a good story is shrouded in.

Twilight grossed $140M this weekend.

Ok, now I'm not a rocket scientist, but I can add.

$21M vs. $140M.

This isn't some seeming coincidence.

We are engrossed in a pop culture more interested in watching people transform into supernatural fantasy than trying to understand where America is in this heavy political time.

I'm not saying it's wrong. I'm just saying, we shouldn't be surprised at the sound bytes about politics when we're more interested in creatures willing to suck our blood. And think about what it looks like in 20 years, 30 years, or 50 years. What investment are we making in the minds of our cultural leaders when a movie about America is out grossed by $120M in the first three days of release?

Again, I'm not saying it's wrong, I'm just observing what's happening, and would love to hear your thoughts. Do you think this is a fair barometer of where we're going? OR...is it just Entertainment, and we shouldn't draw any conclusions?

April 10, 2012

There were so many comments, emails, and discussion surrounding the Hunger Games Article yesterday, I thought I might take a second to answer some questions brought on by a couple of readers. Here are a few points I read yesterday that continue to make sense as we try to understand why the Hunger Games has become such a phenomenon.

1. The concept of Oppression

There's no doubt Suzane Collins wrote about a time when the Rich were Rich, and the poor were under the oppressors thumb. District 1 seems to control the whole of the world, and there's even a place in the film where the President says, "they make stuff we need." They make stuff like coal for energy, agriculture for food, and raw materials to create products bought by Districts 2-12. I agree with one of the readers, this is an interesting metaphor, but don't take too far. To spiritualize this concept is to ignore the reality of Globalization in the 20th and 21st centuries. Let's be honest, until recent past decades China, Brazil, India, and Russia didn't have much to offer on the Global financial stage. It was America that ruled the roost, at least since 1991. Often we like to extend our own spiritual experiences to something like this, but remember in America we still have the freedom to express our religious views however we want. Unlike much of the rest of the world, Christians have it REALLY nice here.

2. The concept of standing up for rights.

In the book Katniss and Peeta are two characters that make it known they'll do the games how they want to do the games. They want to remain true to themselves, without having the pressure of those around them change them to be someone else.

Again, this is a noble idea, but don't try to lean into the spiritual here. I don't know that Ms. Collins was trying to set up a battle cry for Christian teenagers in high schools to "Stand up for Jesus" so to speak. In fact, for some; that would be bowing to another kind of pressure. Environmental influence is an interesting idea. Sometimes we think we can encourage kids to "stand up" and "get out of the world" which is exactly the same pressure being applied with their friends at school, just for a different outcome. I just want to make sure we have a level handed approach to seeing the pressures teenagers face in the world today.

3. The Pain Concept

I don't think there's any way around the idea of feeling the pain of loss, identity issues, and death with teenagers in today's culture. The more I read, the more I think, the more I study the teen culture, the problem of pain is central to transitioning from Elementary School to High School and then off to the University. I don't know of ANY teenagers I've talked with this year that say they've figured out how to avoid the pain of rejection, betrayal, or loneliness. It's an Epidemic, and as I continue to conceptualize this incredible series, I'm finding more and more analogies that hit the chord of meaning in the souls of today's teens.

It's been a great discussion on all fronts. Thanks so much for continuing to find meaning as we live in a world with illusive meaning.

Yesterday was one of the all time most viewed articles here at andybraner.com. Thanks for continuing to share it with your friends, your family, and anyone interested in re-imagining the Christian Worldview.

April 09, 2012

I toook my 13 year old son to see the Hunger Games this weekend. I figured as it seems this is going to be the next world wide phenomenon hitting the big screen I should probaby figure out what all the hubbub is about. I must say, in the most humble way, this was really disturbing.

Hays read the book about a year ago, and I remember him saying, "Dad, you gotta read this book, it's awesome." He would try to describe it to me, "There's this world where there are districts, and they have this hunger competition, it's really great!" And I thought it was just another teen book he was reading for pleasure. Little did I know this was going to be the next Harry Potter.

So when the movie came out last week, my kids were literally begging to go see it. I'm usually a "If Dad sees it first" and all is well, I'll go with them to see something like the Hunger Games. But since Hays already downed the book, I figured it was probably ok.

We bought our tickets online, and headed to the theater.

When the opening scene came on after the mix of previews, I was in shock. This was going to be a movie about kids who were going to chase after one another and kill each other to survive. They would represent their districts at an all national wide olympic like survival game called The Hunger Games.

They are selected like an old army draft.They're put through training like a military soldier.They are paraded through the halls of commericalization for the benefit of the capitalists.But in the end, they're given an open space to chase one another down until there's only one left standing...ALIVE!

When they started the game, initially there are 7 or 8 out of the 24 kids slaughtered by the hands of their peers, and as I peeked through my fingers I whispered to Hays, "This is really disturbing."

After the movie, I sat in awe as to how we've become more and more like the Roman barbarians of the Colosseum age, and I couldn't wrap my mind around why this is such a barnstorming franchise. And then my wife hit it..."This is what teenagers are going through everyday in the hallways of their high school. Sure they're not being killed, but they're being emotionally slaughtered as other kids call them names, put them down, and ridicule them in front of their friends."

The metaphor of the Hunger Games is simply a vehicle to show the hurt and the pain kids feel like when they are isolated together on display for parents, teams, coaches, and academics to parade them around to be what we want them to be.

I get it now.

This isn't a book about kids actually murdering each other. It's not a book about the bloody survival games.No, this is a book about survival!

Today's high school hallways don't look that different from the forest of the Hunger Games.

February 01, 2012

Last night Jamie and I got a chance to go on a late night/after the kids went to bed date. We had a family friend stay on the homefront, and we decided to see the last showing of The Descendants at our local Durango Gaslight Theater.

We got in the car and I asked, "Do we know what this is about?" And Jamie said, "I think George Clooney's wife dies, but it's up for all the awards this season." So I thought it was going to be a great night to get away and just relax for a bit.

WOW, was I wrong!

I won't spoil the movie for you, but the premise is about dealing with death, the inevitable messy-ness of life, and how to keep going when life continues to deal up pain. Every scene felt like a punch in the gut, as we sat there and watched a wonderfully written, brilliantly acted film, present the hardest times in life.

It made me think about the REAL-NESS of messy life, and how we all keep going through inevitable storms of existence.

When I turned on the news this morning I saw this...

Everyone is well aware of the iconic images of the Costa Concordia cruise ship sinking off the coast of Italy.

I thought to myself, "I wonder what it was like for the people on the boat to know the ship was going down." What do you do?

Jump off the balcony?Rush to the nearest life raft?Yell and scream in hysteria?What happens when the ship sinks?

We've all got times in life when the ship begins to sink.

Betrayal creeps into a relationship. Death knocks at our door un-expectantly. Disease arrives unbeknownst to a patient. Family dynamics begin to frey. Business deals go array. Acceptance to a school or program we dreamed of doesn't happen. So I beg the question today, What happens when life's ship begins sinking? What do you do?

Some of my colleagues would argue, "Just call out to God and He'll save you." But He didn't save the people on the Concordia. He didn't save George's wife in the movie, and sometimes He doesn't save our loved ones traveling through this life to the next. Many of us can point to exact points in life where we called out for God to save, and God didn't intervene. (that's not to say there aren't cases where He does change circumstances, but in reality there are times He doesn't)

So what then?

Is God ignoring the cries of the desperate?Is He playing a cosmic game of life and death on our behalf?Is life just about summoning the strength to survive? Or, is there a different way to look at tragedy?

I'm not one to simply point to the "give it up and give it to God" principle, but I'm also not sitting in a camp subscribing to supernatural human strength of endurance.

Pain is real.Tragedy is real.Life isn't "ALL GOOD" all the time. And I believe there are moments where we need to be honest in our assessment of real life issues, and ask tough questions.

The Bible tells of a story (Mark 4:35-40) where the disciples were on the Sea of Galilee and a great storm rose up. They were in a little boat, and it seemed as though the boat was about to capsize. They cried out to Jesus, "Teacher don't you care if we drown?" And Jesus said to the storm "BE STILL," and it was.

He looked at the disciples and asked a poignant question, "Why are you so afraid? Do you still have no faith?"

It's a story that bothers me. Is Faith all we need? In life's hard times, can we simply point to our lack of belief and understanding as the cause of continued pain?

If God sits on the throne of Heaven and Earth and has the power to calm the storm, then why does He sit back in times of tragedy and allow the storm to take lives? Why does He continue to allow evil to continue? (by the way this is the hardest question to answer for ANY person of faith)

But I wonder if I'm not seeing the big picture?

What if, in my own small view of time, I'm only looking at my own individual trajectory? What if God's plan is bigger than what I can see in the moment? Can there be a small chance the greater picture of redemption is the key to understanding pain and hardship?

Everyone has to find their own answers to this common plague in life. Tragedy is not a respecter of persons. The Atheist has to find a way. The Buddhist has to find a way. The Hindu has to find a way. And those of us who follow Jesus have to pursue a way to deal with the most awful times in our own story.

The Beauty of the Jesus story is...He IS interested in making it all new. Maybe not in the moment, but the whole story of the gospel, the bigger picture is that one day death will fade, disease will cease, and pain will be eradicated from the planet. The gospel story doesn't promise all will be well in the near term, but rather; the BIG picture of redeeming the world offers HOPE.

And let's be honest, HOPE is the only constant we can agree will get us through the storms of life. Hope is the hook we can hang our hat on. Hope that this world isn't the final destination is the only reason we even entertain the idea of following Jesus. His promise of a better way of living in the now, and in the life to come, presents humanity with a solid answer...HOPE.

Without Hope, how do you deal with the storm?

After watching The Descendants, seeing the Concordia sitting on its side, and watching the infestation of tragedy from many different angles, I wonder...Where do you find hope?

August 27, 2011

Last Night I was in Atlanta, and had a rare opportunity to attend the Red Carpet Premiere of the new movie, Courageous. It's the 4th installment of the Sherwood Pictures crew out of Sherwood Baptist in Albany Georgia. Previous titles include Facing the Giants, and Fireproof.

Anyway, I got a chance to walk the Red Carpet as a Teen Expert, reporting to the media outlets about the movie from a teen/parent point of view.

First let me say, all that media stuff around a movie is INTENSE. People are literally grabbing for interviews and pictures, shouting back and forth at each other, and all with a smile and 'God Bless you Brother'. HA! I felt like a square peg trying to fit in a round hole. But of course, I sauntered through the galley like Cuban Gooding Jr. in Jerry McGuire just wondering what I was doing there, and other than the occasional, "Who are you?" It was really fun.

The movie is an obvious Christian film even with an invitation to accept the Lord as part of the dialogue, but there were some obvious differences from other Sherwood movies. I felt like the Kendrick Brothers were a little more aware of real life in this film. For those who walked out of the others with a longing for someone to address real issues in life, Courageous won't leave you dissapointed. Tragedy comes knocking, and the characters have to deal with the worst events in life as they try to hold tight to their faith.

The resolve to the issues are overtly Christian themed, as some characters just pray and life starts turning the right direction. One character even prays for a job, and out of no where a job happens and he happens to be able the pay the rent.

I know God does stuff like that, but when the majority of the movie seemed to say, "As long as you're following the Lord, you'll get a good job, make it through tragedy in short resolve, and even forgive all the people who have wronged you with a bit of ease." And for sure, following the Lord leads to resolve in those issues ultimately, but often life doesn't clean up quite as well as a the film seems to portray.

I especially liked the teen story. I felt they hit the awkward teen/dad relationship right between the eyes. You know how it is. For Dads, the teenager is this awkward un-calculating creature living down the hallway. They play video games and talk in a different lexicon, and the world seems strange as Dads try to connect.

And for teens, ITS JUST AS AWKWARD! Teens don't know how to respond to adults 90% of the time. They don't know if their standing in line for the next 'talk' or if parents are actually going to build relationships with them. From a parent point of view, it's always both; but for a film to show the cavern of loneliness existing between teen and adult is different and refreshing. They did a great job.

Overall, I think Courageous is going to be an encouragement for Parents to engage with their kids. With a good mixture of humor, an obvious Christian overtone, and a call to arms for Dads to step up to the plate, you can count on seeing Courageous with your church family and not be embarrassed it's a 'Christian Film.' (you know how that is.)

The release date is September 30, so be sure to help out the Kendrick brothers. They're trying to make movies in a world that usually doesn't allow these kinds of stories. I'm thankful there are wonderful people, with well intentions, trying to make a cultural difference.

March 23, 2011

I just finished watching WAITING FOR SUPERMAN, and it made me want to move to the inner city and work for this guy Geoffry Canada. WOW...as politicians clammer to make education a serious issue in the United States, we're falling behind.

Check this out....

And if this is the case for math and science, just imagine what it's like for any sort of Spiritual Development.

YES, kids are falling behind academicallyYES, this seems unfairYES, we can do something about it

BUT, YES, we need to help students develop their core spirit alongside the mind.

I love it when Luke wrote, "And Jesus increased in wisdom, stature, and favor, with both God and Man." (2:52)

March 15, 2011

The Adjustment Bureau is a "Must See" for those of us who are wrestling with Free Will versus Determinism.

I won't spoil it for you, but it's interesting to see a movie endorsed by Hollywood that deals with such religious issues. God, Angels, Free Will; all a part of this mysterious story of two people who happen to have been connected for years. The force of life continues to bring them together in spite of numerous obstacles, and in the end the viewer is left to wonder, "Do we really have free will to choose, or is there a greater plan at work in the world?"

I found it incredibly interesting as much of the intellects in the Christian World are fighting back and forth over who goes to heaven and who goes to hell. Rob Bell just released a book called LOVE WINS which is supposed to discuss the possibilities of heaven and hell.

Mark Driscoll wrote a blog yesterday outlining the ancient churches opinion on the necessity of a Judge and an atonement sacrifice.

John Piper preaches eloquently about the need for Jesus and His choice over us.

I'm amazed at how culture seems to be swimming through this issue. Even as the current Japanese Tsunami issues play over and over on the national news, the questions surrounding this awful event seem to sound like, "How would a loving God allow this to happen?" "Did he pre-determine all those people to die?"

The Adjustment Bureau raises those questions in a pop culture type of way. If I were you, I'd be sure to take a youth group, or a small group, and get ready for hours of discussion afterwards.

A couple of verses to leave you with...

For God so loved the WORLD that He gave His one and only Son, that WHOSOEVER Believeth in Him would not perish, but have everlasting life. (John 3:16)

OR...

Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in the heavenly realms with every spiritual blessing in Christ. For he chose us in him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight. (Ephesians 1:3-4)

February 11, 2011

Yep, I did it. I took the whole BranerPartyof7 to see the Bieber movie tonight.

I was expecting to see hundreds of thousands of young girls screaming, but since we went to the matinee it was super chill.

I must say, I was impressed. Bieber nation has reason to be proud. This kid can perform. The smoothness of his voice, the innocence of the lyrics, and the overall message of the movie was CLEAR!!

Family - It was awesome to see the connection with his family. His mother was a single mom raising him from 1995 - today, but his grandparents are so supportive. The roots run deep in this one, as the film points out in clarity.

Friends - It's also clear how important the friends around Justin really are. The relationships from managers to agents, and even other stars is really cool to watch. They seem to care. I know this was a highlight reel, but some of the teens I've counseled don't even have the connection that Bieber had in the film. It was a great revelation of how to ground your world with real friends.

Faith - It's so clear his mother is a believer, and she is showering the tour with prayer. More than once the Bieber team is seen praying before a show, and even once I noticed the name of Jesus being called. What a cool deal.

Overall there were moments I felt proud of the kid, and then I felt an overwhelming sense of worry. How in the world can a teenager shoulder the massive crowds, the teams of girls screaming, and the pressure to perform year after year.

More than one time, I found myself praying for Justin and the team. I prayed for his platform. I prayed for his family. I prayed for the pressure. Crowds can do strange things to people, and as we talked coming home, I don't know one teen heart throb that's turned out ok after the crowds went away.

It's a great film. You should see it. Oh, and here's a PDF to download if you're interested in taking your small group to the film. It's from Justin's mom, as she wants to continue making the main thing...the main thing.

February 08, 2011

The first Justin Bieber movie comes out Friday, and fans are reeling. We've watched the "Baby Baby" videos and seen this kid sky-rocket to super stardom overnight, but what's really behind the teen heart throbs new found success?

Some say it's his YouTube discovery.Jr. High Girls all over the world think its dashing good looks.But what if there's more?

In an interesting spin, what if I showed you Biebers dedication to faith, and the platform he knows is God given?

I just got word there is a nation wide marketing campaign to show the singer's behind the scenes faith, and what position God holds in this teen icon's soul.

When asked about her son's fame, Bieber's mother commented, "“I’m aware of the dangers,” she explained. “He’s my son and I’m accountable by God and by the law to protect him – which includes covering him spiritually. Justin’s faith is strong but he’syoung and hasn’t come completely into himself yet. So what I can do is pray, teach and continue surrounding him with strong Christian influences.”

Bieber recently released a video called “PRAY” which demonstrates his faith with footage fromearthquake-torn Haiti and post-Katrina New Orleans, as well as clips of the star visiting the sick and identifying with military families and the poor. The song includes a prayer for “the life not started"and ends with the phrase, “listening is the beginning of prayer."

The upcoming motion picture shows him saying grace in a restaurant with friends and praying with his team before storming the stage at a sold-out Madison Square Garden.

Of Course we know praying before a meal doesn't mean he's the next mother Tereasa, but I have received a pdf you can download by clicking here, that helps explain matters of faith his mother deeply wants us to know about their families struggle to stardom.

I can't wait to see the inside scoop when NEVER SAY NEVER hits theaters this Friday.

February 02, 2011

January 28, 2011

He's at it again. The famous documentarian Morgan Spurlock is bringing Satire to the Silver Screen. HIs latest Film...

where Mr. Spurlock spoke with enough companies to fund his $1.5 million film. The precedent is the ever pressing product placement we see in our movies today. How much are companies willing to sell their ad space for? Or better yet, how much is a movie maker willing to sell his own creative control over to a corporate entity? Well, Spurlock sets out to discover exactly that!

As I was reading the reviews of the film being previewed at the Sundance Film Festival this week, it struck a chord in my soul. You know, our culture is so used to product placing and advertisement, I mean, even on this site there are ads that help to continue the ministry you experience as you read it; but how much is it worth it, and what kind of control are we willing to give up to do ministry?

The ad service on this site is random, and there are some ads that pop up that I wouldn't choose to be there. I've had several conversations with the service provider about that. But on a larger scale, I have to ask myself, how much am I willing to take in order to place products in the middle of my content? In fact, you can rest assured if ever there is a conflict over control of the content there will cease to be ads here.

And maybe a bigger question is, how much are we willing to bend our moral disposition to allow for companies to drive our lifestyles?

Sure Spurlock isn't out to make advertisers the bad guys. Evidently his work is to show us just how subtle advertising can be, and how much people are willing to pay. But I'd like to take the idea a step further. How much are you wiling to sell out for someone to tell you how to live?

I think we're constantly being pressured to buy the latest brands, wear the latest clothes, or drive the latest cars, and sometimes we spend an inordinate amount of money or compromised time to get to a certain place of prominence. How much?

I watch teenagers who are willing to compromise their every choice to fit in. After all, it's the core of who we are as human. We all want to be accepted by someone else. BUT...what happens when that acceptance comes with a price? Think about it today...who really 'owns' your soul.

December 27, 2010

Most of my friends know, I love movies. It's a constant battle for me to choose movies that are healthy for my spiritual life while i long to see what the latest greatest film techniques are. I believe film is our story telling medium today, and the stats show it to be true. Teenagers are learning more through media than any other form of education today.

In any event, I went to see TRON this weekend. TRON. Yep, that's right, the video game from the 80's. The awful original movie that tried to capture the imagination, but failed miserably. But the new one...let's just say, ITS AWESOME!

The graphics are great.The story was well thought out.The action sequences are well done.And, overall, it just held my attention.

One of the messages throughout the movie is the search for a Father.

I won't spoil the plot for your, but it's a great message for Modern America today. The Absence of a Father, and the Love for a Son are essential to the social construct God gave us. All throughout the scriptures the Father/Son relationship is critical to the message.

A friend of mine, John Sowers, has written a book YOU MUST READ!!! It's called the Fatherless Generation, and you can order it on Amazon by clicking right here. His work with Donald Miller and the Mentoring Project are essential for the reunion of Dads and Sons today.

In the meantime, Go see Tron. Enjoy the ride. And let's think about how we sacrifice for the next generation.

November 28, 2010

It's been an international journey through the life of young Harry Potter. The orphan boy turned warlock through his training at Hogwarts School of Magic has intrigued audiences worldwide for almost a decade. As entertaining as it is, The Potter Franchise hasn't gone without controversy by religious groups to the right and the left.

When first released, I can remember cries from the right, "It's witchcraft" as if to yell "The Devil is Coming, The Devil is Coming."

I ended up reading some of the first books, and found them no less sorceress than the famed C.S. Lewis tales of narnia, or Tolkein's Lord of the Ring trilogy.

But this latest installment has me a little worried.

I saw the recent epic finally, The Deathly Hollows, and left disturbed. It was the darkest Potter movie to date, and gave little to no hope for any sort of redemption in the world. Potter and the band of three who started the series together, run around the world hiding from the Dark Evil Lord Voldemort, while the world continues to spiral into deeper dark magic.

The spells are cute, and the power is novel, but the overtone of darkness was a bit more than I was ready for. Evil just continues to win the day.

Now I know the world spins with evil intertwined, but the hope we all have as humans is the fact it might be either getting better, or good will triumph in the end. I'm afraid this new generation of Potter fans are exposed to a whole new level of hopeless despair. As Harry and friends try and find slivers of hope along their journey, not much ends up turning the tide of death gatherers, death hollows, or the gigantic ministry of magic filled with dark leaders.

Personally, I'm hopeful good will weigh out over evil. I haven't read the final parts of the series, and I hear there's another movie to be released in the summer; but for now, the end of Harry Potter is a depressing excercise in the power of evil over our world.

Entertaining as it might be, the philosophical overtones were heavy.

But hey...

If you know someone who walks out of the movie with a question of evil in their own life, maybe it's a great time to share with them the story of redemption and reconciliation.

One ironic event happening today, the beginning of the Advent calendar. It's the time of year where the Christians around the world celebrate the four Sundays leading up to Christmas in anxious anticipation of the hope we place where the world might be a better place. It's all about Jesus. His birth, death, and resurrection form the strong halls of hope we hold in the inner parts of our soul. It's the place where the evil found in the Potter novels can be defeated, and the world put back together again. Free of racial divide, political injustice, greed, malice, lewdness, envy, adultery, and the darkest parts of our hearts.

Interesting to find today...hope in the wake of a tragic story.

Just thinking out loud.

I hope you finish up your weekend well, as you look forward to the Christmas season.

May 03, 2010

If you haven't seen Stephen Hawking on the Discovery channel's newest documentary 'INTO THE UNIVERSE,' you're missing out. It's an look at current scientific discovery of the universe, and is posing hard questions for all of us to answer.

Why does the expanse of the universe look so infinite?Where did it all begin?How can we explain the existence of everything?

These kinds of questions are the very questions University Students are being asked to answer, all over the world. With the show's brilliant images of the universe, coupled with the Stephen Hawking's obvious understanding of Cosmic Physics; it's no wonder why students have a hard time allowing for a Creation of God to be a possibility.

Science, however; is a discipline based on observable, repeatable facts. The problem with the Cosmos is, we can look at it, but we can't touch it, or repeat it. (in most cases) So, as we're watching Hawking describes planets that are 20 million light years away from us; we must remember 'the universe isn't perfect,' a quote from Hawking himself.

I'm not saying he's not brilliant, all I'm saying is Science has it's place to answer the how's, but Religion and Philosophy are the disciplines equipped to answer the why's.

Why are we here?Why does matter act like it does?Why does life exist?

It's the blurring of Science and Religion that often times confuses students. When Scientists try and combine the how's of the universe with the why's, they often come to conclusions they are unable to answer. Likewise, when Religion tries to blur Science into its fold, we often find we leave out much of current scientific discovery.

So what?

Surely there's a way Science can help give answers to the how's. Religion can give the answers to the why's. And Maybe we can come up with a comprehensive answer.

Of course, that would require both disciplines to work together to achieve a common goal. And, as most of us know, neither discipline thinks very highly of the other.

In any event, you need to watch this show. For no other reason, the images are BRILLIANT!! But a careful watching will certainly prepare anyone for the hallways of the University. Stephen Hawking is a highly respected scientist and garners a reputation much like Warren Buffet does in the investment world. When Stephen talks, science listens.

April 30, 2010

According to a study published by the Journal of Studies on Alcohol and Drugs, ABSOLUTELY. The Study, Found Here, said that students who were allowed to watch rated R movies are more likely to experiment with alcohol during their teenage years.

Now for someone who deals with teens for a living, this is HUGE!

How many of us have been in a movie at 9:00 pm, and we watch parents with young kids in tow? I've often wondered, "How can parents allow those kids to see this?" And then I quickly ask myself, "Why am I watching this?" HA!

But seriously, parents of teenagers out there.....

We need to educate our kids of the dangers of what we put in our mind. In 2 Corinthians 10:5 Paul urges us to take captive every thought that enters our minds. WE MUST be careful what we allow to enter in our minds. For what enters our minds seeps into our hearts. And it was David who said, "As a man thinks in His heart, so is he." (Proverbs 23:7)

Be sure to help your kids understand why you won't let them see the latest horror movie.Help them understand just because they hear curse words at school doesn't mean they have to subject themselves to it.

AND...if there is any sort of sexuality in the movie we've got to be careful. Jesus said, "You have heard it was said, 'thou shalt not commit adultery' but I say unto you, any man who looks on a woman lustfully has already committed adultery in his heart."

We MUST be careful.

If just watching rated R movies opens the door to experimenting with alcohol, what other vices are we opening the door for our kids to walk through?

May we be people that live in the world but not of it.May we be salt and light to a dark world.May we follow Jesus with all our 'mind' as well as our heart and soul.

February 07, 2010

Most everyone knows I graduated with a degree in Theater Arts from Baylor University. My undergrad work was so important in shaping who I am today. I have great friends, learned a great craft, and love to see good films.

So, last night I decided to head over to watch the critically acclaimed AVATAR.

First, let me be honest, anytime a film gets so much recognition that it becomes the highest grossing film of all time, I'm always a little skeptical. But as soon as I put my 3D glasses on, this movie whisked me away to a magical land, full of beauty and imagination.

The special effects are INCREDIBLE.

The theme of the movie, or shall I say themes, were interesting. From a critics point of view, this movie had everything everyone who watches movies goes to see. Bombs, love, techno stuff, army, doctors, brilliant cinematography, great special effects, WHEW it was like running a marathon. But what intrigued me the most, the story. The over-arching dominant theme of the Avatar is very interesting to a guy involved in a teenage generation.

AVATAR is literally another character by which you can live life through. Maybe you've heard of second life, or something similar, where you create your own surroundings. There are literally AVATARS you can choose on your Yahoo account so whenever you sign in, your cartoon character tells everyone else you're on. It's almost like Web 2.0 is filled with arenas where you live virtually in another world, and the internet is definitely heading that way. The movie wasn't as creepy as second life, but all the same, very interesting to use the idea of fictional 'self placement' in a movie with so many other themes.

Sure there was plenty of explosions for the fellas, love story for the ladies, but another interesting part of the movie was the unbelievable relationship to what's going on in America. The idea of the American armed forces literally forcing their way into a native land for precious natural resources was straight off the screen of Fox News, CNN, or MSNBC. Right down to the very phrase, "shock and awe" the story was told by the underdog, terrorist, insurgency. Interesting choice Mr. Cameron.

We left the theater, I looked over at my friend Luke and asked, "Does America know what this movie just said?" Because if they do, those who've been championing the wars for the last 8 years just took an intellectual shot in the mouth.

Spiritism is a vital part of the film as well. The native people take great pride in connecting with the energy of the earth, believing in an afterlife, and a connection among all living things. I think you'll be hard pressed to find the Christian message, but I'm sure someone is already working on a small group video series title, "The Gospel according to Avatar." If not...please don't.

For those of you weary of heart, there's plenty of language, lots of violence, and the natives run around the forest wearing little more than a loin cloth. So be informed.

Overall, I felt like it was a wonderful fantasy story with well development current event like issues. James Cameron did a great job telling the story he wanted to tell.

But most of you have already seen this right? I mean it is the highest grossing film of all time.

January 24, 2010

Last night, a few of us decided to hit the theaters. I haven't been to the movie theater in a while, and I knew this Book Of ELI sparked my interest a few months ago. So we decided to go and see what was new up Denzel's sleeve.

Oh My...

First of all, it's Rated R for a reason. There's a ton of violence, sexual innuendos, and overall adult themes, but the core of this film is unlike anything we've seen before.

The premise, Eli (Denzel Washington) is walking west. He eats off the land, protects himself from hijackers with a vicious blade, and is on a mission. He explains it in the movie, "After the blast he heard a voice tell him to walk west where he could take the book (The King James Bible) to a place where it would be kept safe."

The movie is set in some sort of apocalyptic time where everyone was in survival mode. Much like Mad Max back in the 80's, this time is one of scarce resources where only the tough survive. If you can stomach the battle scenes, the message will blow you away.

Eli takes the book through a town where Carnegie (Gary Oldman) is looking for "The book." Several times they refer to the power of the words in the book, and it's power to transform and lead people. So Carnegie is on the hunt for the book for his own personal power game.

One of the most powerful points in the movie is when Carnegie and his thugs have Eli cornered, and they ask for the book. Mind you, Eli has been protecting the book with his very life, but for some reason, he gives it over to the motley crew. Eli's walking partner asks, "I never thought you'd ever give up that book." And Eli replies, "I took for granted just reading it. I better live my life and do what it says."

I won't ruin it for you any more. This is an interesting look at how to present the gospel in a vehicle our culture can hear and will understand. I haven't read any secular reviews on the film, but there is no subtlety here. The Gospel of Jesus is CLEAR. The message of the Bible is CLEAR. The power of God's Word is CLEAR. It's just driven by some pretty gross violent scenes.

Denzel Washington an Gary Oldman are brilliant actors and carried the movie with poise and style. This may go down as a classic once the culture figures out what do to with the message.

July 13, 2009

If you haven't seen Dan Brown's new movie, or read the book Angels and Demons; it's worth the ride. You all know, I'm not one to be recommending books or whatever, but this one is an interesting look at not only a good story writer, but also the way we fuse the known with the unknown to create a "new kind of history."

It calls into question the church's role in viewing Science, and the story is filled with intrigue and mystery.

I think the most surprising part of the film was the grace at the end. After a long 2 hours of murder mystery, political twists, and church history, the head of the college of cardinals looks at Tom Hanks and says, "I'm thankful God brought you to protect His church." Hanks looks back and says, "I don't think God brought me." and the head Cardinal replies, "Of course he did." And turned to walk away.

Even after all the nasty atheistic/agnostic writings this professor of church history would write about the church, the leaders were willing to extend a grace of understanding toward him. I was relieved at the end, that it wasn't just a movie about bashing the church, but rather it seemed like the church was still being gracious to people outside it's walls.

I know Dan Brown isn't writing truth, and I certainly wouldn't recommend it to fill in the gaps of church history; but there are tid-bits of conversation starting ideas. I know I'm more interested in learning of the artists who helped decorate Rome. I'm interested in how the church came to be. I'm fascinated by the underground 'secret' war between the church and science. But overall, I'm excited that the God of the Universe has given us a mind to think through these issues in order to come to know truth.

It was Jesus who said, "Love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul, and mind. This is the First and Greatest Commandment." Let not your mind be taken to places of untruth for the sake of entertainment. Rather; let's allow entertainment to provoke the thirst for understanding, even if it has to do with an age old debate.

December 02, 2008

Ok, so I took the kids to see a movie this last weekend. They were dying to go see this animated dog movie called, Bolt.

Bolt is a dog who works on a sitcom. The director tells the producer the reason for Bolt's lifelike acting skills is that he has never left the set. In other words, all the super powers the show writers give to this Super-Dog, Bolt thinks they're real!

Well, I won't spoil it for you, but there's some cool messages in the film.

So, in an economy that's not really doing so well, if you already have the Christmas shopping blues, take a second out of your busy life, take the family to go see BOLT. It's way worth the time.